Page 6 - OPTA Volume 48

DISTRICT REPORTS
Northwest District Report Sara Burke, PT, DPT – Chair
It goes without saying that this has been a challenging time for our profession . It has also been a time to reflect and accelerate the innovation of our skilled minds. The Northwest District is pleased to congratulate the PT and PTA graduating cohorts of 2020 for their tenacity and perseverance to complete their final coursework under new conditions . As new colleagues, we are eager to support you as you enter the profession, perhaps in a different way in which you practiced it . We are ready to learn together!
Dr . Michelle Masterson provided an APTA House of Delegates update virtually on May 13, 2020 . This update was well received and very informative . The Northwest District thanks Dr . Masterson for her service as Chief Delegate as she completes her second term, as well as her willingness to discuss various topics being debated in our profession openly .
Mr . James Stark presented topics relating to pain concepts and applications virtually on May 19, 2020 . With over 25 years of clinical experience, Mr . Stark was able to discuss applications for knee and spinal pain as well as possible adaptations for more effective hands-off or remote treatment of patients with acute or chronic pain .
West Central District Report Heather Stoner, PTA, MPH, ACCE – Chair
Wow! It’s hard to believe that the year is half over . I think we can all agree that 2020 has thrown us some curveballs this year .
While we didn’t get to have many of our annual events or get to try the family night at the ballpark, we are hoping that we get to be together at events in the future . Pending how the situation continues, we hope to be able to schedule a CEU event later this fall from one of the speakers that had previously agreed .
We are still hoping to try to have the wine and paint night PAC event again this year as it seemed to be something that makes a great girls night or date night activity . Thanks to those that came out and painted this past summer with us . We raised $200 for the PAC and had a great time being creative together . At the suggestion of some, we have decided to move this activity to Nov . when
We are looking forward to hosting Dr . Wes Bullock for Motivational Interviewing in the coming months . Additional events such as a PT Day of Service or other face-to-face events remain challenging to plan as restrictions are often changing . It is unclear how the pandemic will continue to impact our professional and district goals . Stay tuned for more to come as we adjust to a new normal .
The Northwest District continues to strive to create free and low-cost events . We welcome your suggestions for topics and presenters . Please email Richard Fernandez, NW District Education Chair with your ideas, RJFernandez7@gmail .com .
For more information, contact Sara at:
sara_burke@owens.edu
it’s colder outside, and no one wants to be outside . Please watch for those announcements as well .
West Central District is in the process of putting together our CEU calendar of events . We hope to see you at an event in the future . Have a suggestion or idea of a CEU topic? Have a content area that you're an expert in? Let Becky Parr or Heather Stoner know we would love to hear from you!
Lastly, this is an election year in West Central District . We have several positions that are up for election . The term is up for both the chair and vice-chair positions . The West Central District also has an open position
of Secretary to be filled. If you’re interested or have questions about any of the positions, please let Heather Stoner know .
For more information, contact Heather at:
heathernicole_stoner@msn.com
6 | September 2020 | OPTA